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Abstract
Parity, or "equality for agriculture," has long been
a goal for farmers. Several definitions of parity have
been used as a guide to the well-being of farmers,
as a basis for the farm programs of the Government,
and as a guide to general economic programs aimed
at high levels of employment, production, and purchasing
power. Yet none has proved entirely satisfactory.
Parity has been elusive to define and difficult
to measure—especially in the postwar period of
rapid changes in agriculture and in the rest of the
economy. Farmers, agricultural economists, Congressmen,
and many others have frequently criticized
the measures of parity currently in use. Congress
has found it necessary from time to time to direct
changes in parity computations to make programs
workable, or to avoid serious inequities. The article
presents a new concept of income parity
standards for agriculture. Other studies were made
in the past by the Department, and Iowa State University
recently published a study, An Alternative
Parity Formula for Agriculture, Research Bulletin
476.